A Blog about Film, Video Games, Comics, Literature and all the finer things in life.

Wednesday, 30 September 2009

[243] Neil Edwards Interview

Had lots of fun last week talking with comic artist Neil Edwards. The Thor sketch he did for me is great! Check out the interview below.

As part of the promotional push behind Vicarious Visions/Activision's new action-roleplaying game Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 (a campaign which also saw heroes guarding commuters on the London Underground), comic artist Neil Edwards (Fantastic Four, Fantastic Force, Squadron Supreme) gave a select few a masterclass in how to design and draw comic characters, at London's Orbital Comics. After regaling all and sundry with helpful advice about the behind-the-scenes process of making comics, and the importance of simplicity in the design of iconic characters ("Lex Luthor's not got a costume, he's just a bald guy!"), we were presented with sheets of A3 paper and sharpened pencils, and left to our own devices, as Neil sketched and offered further advice.

It would be immodest of us to show off our high calibre, smudge-laden, wonky-fest of a sketch. Let's just say, if there's ever a comic that stars a cloud, or a box, Marvel knows who to contact. Instead, we were able to sit down and chat with Neil, asking about his career, his influences, and what he has lined up in the future. He was also kind enough to give us an awesome sketch of everyone's favourite Nordic hero - and God of UK New Comics Day - Thor. Read on, true believer!